Cop fires shot at fleeing suspect

By Jim Shay

Updated 8:42 am, Tuesday, September 8, 2015

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Hamden, Conn. police said on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015, a fleeing vehicle entered the exit ramp at Wilbur Cross Parkway Exit 61, traveling the wrong way. The vehicle subsequently collided with a Hamden Police vehicle, on the grass area between the entrance and exit ramps. The driver, identified as Israel Santiago, of East Haven. then attempted to strike the officer with his motor vehicle. The officer discharged his firearm at the vehicle. less

State Police are investigating a pursuit Monday evening on the Wilbur Cross Parkway that involved a Hamden police officer firing his weapon at a suspect.

Trooper First Class Kelly Grant said at some point during this incident, the suspect’s vehicle and a Hamden police cruiser collided on Route 15 Northbound in the area of Exit 61 in Hamden. No one was injured in the incident.

Hamden police said the officer fired the shot when the suspect attempted to strike him with a vehicle.

Hamden Deputy Police Chief Bo Kicak said the incident began around 6 p.m. when police received a complaint of an erratic driver on Whitney Avenue and Lincoln Street. Moments later, Officer Joseph Venditto observed the vehicle driving erratically on Dixwell Avenue and initiated a motor vehicle stop.

“Upon approaching the vehicle, the operator, who was later identified as Israel Santiago, fled the scene, proceeding southbound onto Whitney Avenue, in an effort to elude officers,” Kicak said in a release. “He had a passenger inside of the vehicle. The fleeing vehicle entered the exit ramp at Exit 61, traveling the wrong way. The vehicle subsequently collided with a Hamden Police vehicle, on the grass area between the entrance and exit ramps. Santiago then attempted to strike the officer with his motor vehicle. The officer discharged his firearm at the vehicle.

“Seconds later, Santiago continued to flee in his vehicle, northbound on Route 15,” Kicak said. “He struck the police vehicle that was operated by Officer Venditto. Santiago’s vehicle became disabled, at which time he fled on foot towards the Mill River, where he was taken into custody. A search of Santiago and his vehicle led to the discovery of crack cocaine”

Kicak said “Further investigation revealed that Santiago’s passenger made several requests and attempts to exit the vehicle. Santiago refused to release the passenger.”

Trooper Grant added, “An investigation into an incident was initiated in the Town of Hamden, resulting in the Hamden Police Department attempting to stop a motor vehicle. The suspect failed to stop his motor vehicle after being directed to do so by Hamden police officers, and continued driving. The suspect vehicle eventually entered Route 15 northbound in the area of Exit 61. During the course of the incident, a Hamden police officer discharged his duty weapon at the suspect.”

Grant said the suspect vehicle “was eventually brought to a stop, and the suspect attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended by Hamden police officers.”

At the request of the New Haven state’s attorney’s office, detectives from the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad responded to the scene and assumed the investigation into the discharge of the Hamden police duty weapon.

“This is an active investigation,” Grant said.

Hamden Police arrested Israel Santiago, 31, of Green Garden Court, East Haven. He was charged with unlawful restraint in the first degree, possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with the intent to sell, engaging an officer in pursuit, reckless driving and interfering with a police officer. Santiago, who was detained on a $100,000.00 bond, is scheduled to appear in court in Meriden on Sept. 21.